Insp Paul Hennessy, whose team is leading enquiries, said: “We received a number of calls about the activities of this man once he had left the location. We are concerned that he is targeting vulnerable and elderly people.

“He made various excuses to request money, claiming to be selling things or needing money for charity or student fees, all we believe to be false.

"A small number of people did hand over cash, but we want people to be aware this is happening and remind people not to invite him in to their property and not to give money to him call 999 should he attend.

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“Enquiries are ongoing throughout the day to identify the man, but we would urge anyone who knows him someone who matches this description to call us.”

The suspect is described as white, in his late teens / early 20s, 6ft tall and of medium build. He was wearing dark tracksuit bottoms with a stripe down the back, a black top under a dark body-warmer, a dark baseball cap and dark trainers.

He is believed to have a local accent and may have a speech impediment.

Officers will also be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police 101, quoting incident 273 of 9 March.